Master T.2 DL981 near Widdop, Hebden Bridge.
On 16th September 1949 this Central Gunnery School aircraft was to have been used to ferry an airman from Leconfield, where the C.G.S. were based, over to Squires Gate airfield. He lived at Blackpool and appears to have been going on leave at the time and had received authorisation to be flown over. The pilot had undertaken no instrument rating so was briefed to fly at 2,000 feet and keep the ground in sight, should the weather prevent them from reaching Squires Gate he was to return to Leconfield. The Master took off from Leconfield just after 15.00hrs with the weather and visibility described as being good. As the aircraft crossed the Pennines low cloud affected visibility but the aircraft flew into this. It was later heard by people on the ground to be circling the general area of the Wadsworth Moors, near the Pack Horse Pub, south-east of Widdop. The pilot may have been attempting to force land in the low cloud and rain at the time but clipped the top of one wall bordering the road near the pub. It then crashed onto the road, demolished the wall at the opposite side of the road and broke up in the field beyond. The road is just below 1,000 feet above sea level. Unfortunately both men in the aeroplane were killed. The passenger was a visiting staff officer to the Central Gunnery School from HQ NO.21 Group.
Pilot - P1 Reginald Brasington Price RAF (1339581), aged 27. Buried East Molesey Cemetery, Surrey (1277).
Passenger - F/O Sydney Inman Rowe RAF (58062), aged 32, of Blackpool. Burial location unknown.
Burial details in respect of the passenger are omitted from the Armed Forces Memorial register. This register states he had connection with RAF Swinderby at the time of his death
though I have found no explanation of how this may be. He was a native of Blackpool so I assume he was either buried or cremated at Blackpool.